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Your Guide to Home Improvement Archive
RISMEDIA, Oct. 9, 2008-Everyone remembers their first home purchase: the slew of questions; the life-altering decision-making; the second-guessing. So much goes into buying a first home. FrontDoor.com takes the mystery and some of the stress out of the home-buying process with its new online guide for first-time home buyers based ...
RISMEDIA, Oct. 8, 2008-"Is there a way to tastefully paint my living room purple?" "Beige couches, beige carpet, white walls - when did my home turn into bland-land?" If color quandaries like these are keeping you up at night, you aren't alone. That's why the experts at HGTV.com created the ...
RISMEDIA, Sept. 25, 2008-When the weather begins to turn cold, take cues from fall to warm up your world. Think about the decorating styles that appeal to you and use the following tips for guidance: ...
Chances are you will have to pay the going rate for contractors in your area. Architects or designers will typically cost 12 to 20 percent more. ...
Use caution. Your home is your most valuable financial asset. You will want someone who completes the job, not botch it up. It is important that you find a competent and reliable contractor who will successfully complete your home improvement project. ...
Home improvement professionals vary. Who you hire also will depend largely on the size and complexity of your project. What follows is a brief description of the different contractors who do work for homeowners: ...
To save both time and money, some people avoid getting building permits. But most cities require them. Besides ensuring safety during construction - housing inspectors sometimes stop by to check on the progress of projects at key points - they are also a source of revenue. ...
Yes. The last thing you want to do when undertaking a home improvement is go overboard. This means fixing up the home to the point where it becomes worth far more than nearby neighborhood properties. ...
The direction in which you build can make all the difference. Experts say building up is normally less expensive than building out on the ground level. Adding an expensive wing or addition requires a new foundation. It is less costly to extend plumbing and other mechanical systems upward, as opposed ...
Yes, but only after you have sold your home. According to the IRS, home improvements add to the basis, or value, of your home. A tax-acceptable improvement is defined as one that adds value to your home, "considerably" prolongs your home's useful life, or adapts your house to new uses. ...
Yes, at least for a limited time. Congress made it a little easier to upgrade your windows while reducing your taxes. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 offers consumers a tax credit for replacing old appliances and home products with energy efficient models. The tax credit is up to $200 ...
Begin by focusing on those small cracks and crevices around doors and windows. According to Lowe's, a 1/8" space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Close those gaps to save up to 15% in heating and cooling ...
